Home / Tag Archives: Inequality

Tag Archives: Inequality

What is Money?

Money hole

Why is the world in such financial crises? Why is Greece on the brink? Why is the stock market tanking? Why is oil going south? Why is Trump on the rise? WTF is going on? The answers you seek lie directly before you. In this accessible introduction to globalized finance and accumulation, Dr. Sharp takes you on a sociologically sophisticated trip to the source of our problems and the root of all "evil" - accumulation and the love of money that drives it forward. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to finally put the pieces together.

Read More »

Technology-Enhanced Learning in Developing Nations: A review

overcome addictions

Of interest to Sociologists and students is the possibility of technology to break down class barriers. Here's an interesting paper from the journal IRRODL that discusses the revolutionary potential of "technology enhanced learning" in developing nations. Food for thought, especially considering the revolutionary potential of Moodles, Moocs, and so on. Check it out.

Read More »

Capital and Computers – Observations on IT Innovation and Inequality

images

Here is an assignment/essay by a student in my Sociology 460 Technology course. I'm including it here because of the great way this student highlights the ambivalent impact of technology on our lives. As he clearly identifies, it is not all wine and roses. Many people are impacted negatively. In fact, when you consider it carefully, the overall impact may be decidedly negative. As evidenced by the growing gap between rich and poor, and as Warren Buffet has recently admitted, technology has allowed the rich and powerful to win the class war.

Read More »

Ayn Rand: The Blinkered Visionary

Atlas Shirked

Ah ideology. Whether it is left or right, pink or blue, it is ideology non the less. Ayn Rand was clearly an ideologue and people liked her because she provided justification for all sorts of greedy, selfish, and inconsiderate behaviors under the banner of some sort of naturally sanctioned individualism. But swing the pendulum the other way and we trod on our fellow peeps in the name of the collective good. My question? Are left and right really that different when the result (oppression, suppression, and concentrated wealth) are the same?

Read More »

The Corporate Welfare State & Growing Inequality in American Society

occupy-wall-street

Unlike a lot of people out there, I am one to say I TOLD YA SO. The current growth in inequality, the current "mess" in the global financial system, the weird political machinations that seem to directly contradict the principles upon which modern democracies were founded, these were all predicted decades ago by Sociologists. So what are you going to do? Well, read this article, but slowly. There's a lot of enlightening Sociology in this article. If it gets a little thick, pop on over to the forums and ask Owen a question. in the global financial system, the weird political machinations that seem to directly contradict the principles upon which modern democracies were founded, these were all predicted decades ago by Sociologists. So what are you going to do? Well, read this article, but slowly. There

Read More »

One World in 60 Seconds

market

The world in 60 seconds? A sociologist looks at daily life differently. Walking through a market with melon in hand, we see interrelationships, economic realities, injustices, and a world that "could be" or "might be" if we stopped buying into the "that's just the way it is" mentality of "normal" life. Revolutionary? No. In a way it is deeply ironic. Engineers, chemists, even physicists work hard to improve the things that matter to them and nobody questions that. Is it so strange then that sociologists might aspire to ask questions, point out contradictions, and contribute towards a better future? It's only strange, I feel, that more people don't listen.

Read More »

Academic Education – A Waste of Space, Mind, Money and Time?

Academic communities and higher learning facilities like universities are the places where great knowledge is born and passed on with the purpose of ‘enlightening’ our societies for the better. Or is it? Aren't academies and universities about socialization into The System and indoctrination into ideas that support hierarchy, exclusion, etc. According to Anna Brix Thomsen, its both. Universities are useful and do make a [technological] improvement in things, but usually only for the primary benefit of the elite. Trickle down benefits there may be, but its ultimately about maintaining the status quo and further enriching those who are already with privilege.

Read More »